The most eagerly awaited evening in the watchmaking world is almost here. On 13 November, 57 prestigious Swiss watch brands will compete at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, honoring the year's most remarkable timepieces. The winners will be revealed at a glamorous ceremony at Geneva’s Théâtre du Léman, but you can catch the live stream on Euronews Culture to be among the first to know the results.
The evening's most prestigious award is the “Aiguille d’Or”, given to the best overall creation of 2024. There are 15 additional categories, including men’s, ladies’, sports, mechanical exception, and artistic craft. For the first time, an eco-innovation prize will also be awarded, recognizing advancements in sustainability and traceability.
The CEO of the Aiguille d’Or-winning brand joins the judging panel for the next year’s awards. In 2023, Audemars Piguet took the prize, with CEO Ilaria Resta now part of the panel, alongside historian Nick Foulkes, the jury president, and 28 industry experts.
Among the contenders are top watchmakers like Breitling, H. Moser & Cie, Zenith, Piaget, and Ulysse Nardin. Leading the nominations this year are Parmigiani Fleurier and Chopard, each with six timepieces in the running.
Parmigiani Fleurier’s CEO, Guido Terreni, is particularly proud of their six nominations, a first in the awards' 24-year history. Their Tonda PF Micro-Rotor No Date watch, nominated in the time-only category, exemplifies their brand’s understated luxury.
Hermès, known more for its luxury goods, is nominated in the ladies’, mechanical exception, and artistic crafts categories. CEO Laurent Dordet sees the GPHG as a way to establish Hermès’ reputation as a watchmaker.
Newcomer SpaceOne, founded just 18 months ago, hopes to win the challenge category. Their TSpaceOne watch, part of their second collection, aims to democratize complex watchmaking with an affordable price point.
Each of the 90 nominated watches at the GPHG this year represents the pinnacle of design, technology, and craftsmanship. Tune in to Euronews on 13 November to see who will be crowned the best.
Source link: https://www.euronews.com
